Will T.O. pay off for Bills?

Latest News

With the news that the Buffalo Bills have signed NFL superstar receiver Terrell Owens, you can bet the phones are ringing off the hook today at Ralph Wilson Stadium with fans signing up for seats -- even in this economy.

Owens, cut by the Dallas Cowboys late last week, needed a team to call home, while the Bills need serious talent to get them to the post-season.

As fast as you can say "Sharpie hidden in his sock," Owens became a Bill.

At the love-fest press conference Saturday, Owens said he was, "just looking for a home" while calling any talk of his being selfish or divisive with his former teams "hearsay."

Obviously there is upside to inking the talented T.O. to the reported one-year, US$6.5-million contract. However, there is a pretty obvious downside to bringing a guy with his malcontent reputation to your team.

The Buffalo Bills made this bold move with a plan to fill a major need. They need help to end their epic playoff drought.

That said, Terrell Owens comes with more than a large price-tag -- he is a sideshow and in the ultimate team game, he has proven himself time and time again to be a one-man wrecking crew to team chemistry.

In all three of his prior NFL cities; San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas, you can find fans and teammates alike who would tell you he is a talent -- but he most certainly should take his talent elsewhere.

From an ownership standpoint, this move adds to a great foundation, but might Owens run roughshod over young quarterback Trent Edwards and easy-going head coach in Dick Jauron?

Often flamboyant to the point of obnoxious, often over-the-top to the point of ridiculous -- Owens is undeniably a guy who will put butts in seats game in and game out. And, undeniably for the season ahead, Terrell Owens is the new face of the Bills.

For those of us here in T.O. we can look forward to the T.O. circus coming to play under the big top at Rogers Centre somewhere between September and December '09.